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France's Flash Composite PMI Falls to 66-month Low in May

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France's private sector economy tumbled deeper in contraction territory in May, as the conflict in the Middle East led to a faster decline in services activity alongside a renewed downturn in manufacturing output, data from S&P Global showed Thursday.

The S&P Global Flash France Composite PMI Output Index fell to a 66-month low of 43.5 in May, down from the prior reading of 47.6 and the expected 47.7.

For the manufacturing sector, the PMI was at a six-month low of 48.9, lower than the April figure of 52.8 and consensus estimate from Investing.com of 52.1. The services PMI also clocked in at a 66-month low of 42.9, compared with the previous 46.5 and market forecast of 46.6.

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